U.S. patent number 4,074,456 [Application Number 05/733,320] was granted by the patent office on 1978-02-21 for pest trap.
Invention is credited to Robert Wayne Tidwell.
United States Patent |
4,074,456 |
Tidwell |
February 21, 1978 |
Pest trap
Abstract
A trap containing a bait to attract rodents, insects and like
pests comprising a box-shaped enclosure having a plurality of elbow
configured passageways. A first open circuit powered by a voltage
source is positioned within the enclosure so as to form a labyrinth
of closely spaced electrical conductors which are disposed in
partially surrounding relationship to the bait. The pest will
detect the presence of the bait with the aid of a plurality of
vents integrally formed within the walls of the enclosure. In
pursuit of the bait, the pest upon entering the enclosure by means
of the passageway, proceeds to trigger a tripper hingedly attached
to the passageway which in turn activates a second open circuit
mounted within the passageway, and thereby electrifies the
retreating pest. If the pest does not retreat but proceeds toward
the bait, it is electrocuted by the first open circuit.
Inventors: |
Tidwell; Robert Wayne (Leisure
City, FL) |
Family
ID: |
24947129 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/733,320 |
Filed: |
October 18, 1976 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
43/98;
43/112 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M
1/2011 (20130101); A01M 1/223 (20130101); A01M
23/38 (20130101); A01M 2200/011 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01M
1/20 (20060101); A01M 1/00 (20060101); A01M
1/22 (20060101); A01M 23/00 (20060101); A01M
23/38 (20060101); A01M 001/22 (); A01M
023/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;43/98,99,112 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,301,130 |
|
Dec 1972 |
|
UK |
|
283,632 |
|
Jan 1928 |
|
UK |
|
Primary Examiner: Camp; Warner H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dominik; Jack E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A trap apparatus containing a bait to attract rodents, insects,
and like pests, comprising:
an enclosure;
means for entry into said enclosure;
a source of electricity;
a first open circuit powered by said source of electricity
positioned within said enclosure and disposed in surrounding
relationship to the bait, whereby the pest must engage said first
open circuit to reach the bait;
a second open circuit mounted within the interior of said entry
means;
a tripper yieldably attached to said entry means;
said tripper disposed for electrical activation of said second open
circuit upon receiving the weight of the pest, whereby the pest
must engage said second open circuit to retreat up said entry
means.
2. A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further compromising;
a safety shut-off connection disposed in circuit deactivating
relationship between said source of electricity and said first and
second open circuits.
3. A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1,
said second open circuit includes third and fourth electrical
conductors aligned in spaced apart close proximity relationship
relative to each other;
said voltage source including a first and second terminal;
said third conductor electrically connected to said first terminal
of said source of electricity;
said fourth conductor electrically connected to said tripper;
said tripper having a normal position in which said tripper is
electrically disengaged from said second terminal of said source of
electricity and a tripped position in which said tripper is
disposed in electrical interconnection with said second terminal of
said source of electricity upon receiving the weight of the
pest;
fastener means mounted to the bottom of said enclosure and aligned
for locking engagement with said tripper when said tripper is in
its tripped position.
4. A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 3,
said means for entry into said enclosure comprises at least one
elbow shaped passageway means mounted in the wall of said enclosure
for the pest to enter said enclosure.
5. A trap apparatus as claimed in claim 4,
said first open circuit including a first and second electrical
wire conductor mounted on the floor of said enclosure and aligned
in continuous rodent and insect killing spaced relationship
relative to each other;
said first conductor electrically connected to said first terminal
of said source of electricity;
said second conductor electrically connected to said second
terminal of said source of electricity;
said first and second conductors disposed in repeated wrap-around
surrounding relationship relative to the centrally located bait
with each successive wrap of said conductors having a smaller
perimeter.
6. A method of eliminating rodents, insects, and like pests
including the steps of:
placing a bait within an enclosure to attract the pest into
entering the enclosure;
inviting the pest to enter by means of at least one non-linear
shaped passageway; and
activating a second open circuit in the passageway after the pest
has entered the same to prevent the pest from retreating up the
passageway;
electrocuting the pest by placing a first open circuit in the path
the pest must take in order to reach the bait.
7. In the method of claim 6, the step of activating a second open
circuit further defined to include the steps of placing a tripper
in the path of the pest exiting from the passageway, and activating
a second open circuit positioned in the passageway by allowing the
pest to engage the tripper.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a trap for electrocution of
rodents, insects and like pests.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Traps for rodents utilizing electrocuting of the same are known in
the prior art. However, it has long been recognized that a problem
exists concerning the safety of these various devices, many of
which have conductive areas which are exposed so as to create the
potential for shock to users or unaware persons or pets. Likewise,
the devices of the prior art fail to be flexible to the extent of
eliminating large pests such as rodents and also small pests such
as insects. These inherent problems stated above in the devices of
the prior art along with other problems have greatly dissuaded
people from utilizing traps involving electrocution.
One such prior art devices utilizing electroduction is illustrated
in U.S. Pat. No: 1,045,662, which discloses a trap having an
electrocution area which is open, and therefore unsafe. This device
also fails to disclose a structure suitable for the elimination of
both insects and rodents, along with means for preventing a
retreat. Other traps of the prior art having the same deficiencies
are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos: 1,541,985; 2,440,214; 3,197,916;
3,468,054; 3,792,547; and 760,032.
Accordingly, it can be seen from the prior art that there is a need
for a trap in which a variety of pests can be eliminated, a trap
which is safe, a trap which has a high probability of electrocuting
a pest before a successful retreat, a trap which avoids odors that
may accumulate and therefore minimize the need for frequent
inspections, and a trap which is simply structured to be efficient
without sacrificing safety or increasing the expense involved in
manufacturing and maintaining the trap.
SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
eliminating rodents, insects and like pests. More specifically, the
invention is directed to a trap having an enclosure with a bait
placed therein and a plurality of nonlinear passageways which are
mounted in the enclosure walls such passageways desirably take the
form of elbow shaped tubular passages in the preferred embodiment.
In addition, a plurality of vents are preferably integrally formed
within the walls of the enclosure to allow the odors of the bait to
pass from inside of the enclosure to the outside. The pest, upon
detecting and being attracted by the odor of the bait, proceeds to
enter the enclosure by means of the passageways. The passageways
are preferably configured and dimensioned in the preferred
embodiment so that the entering animal finds it difficult to turn
around while remaining in the passageway. The retreat of the pest
is further hampered by the lack of visibility of the entering
opening of the passageway due to the elbow shaped configuration of
the passageway. Upon proceeding from the passageway into the
interior of the enclosure, the animal trips a tripper hingedly
secured to the end of the passageway. This tripper upon being
forcibly engaged by the pest activates an open circuit mounted
within the passageway so as to prevent a successful retreat of the
pest. The open circuit remains active despite the removal of the
animal's weight from the tripper by means of a fastener which keeps
the tripper in open circuit activating position. When the pest
chooses to proceed toward the bait, it will then encounter another
open circuit exposed in surrounding relationship to the bait. This
open circuit is secured to the floor of the enclosure, and arranged
so that conductors in the form of electrical wires of opposite
polarity are in close adjacent relationship. As with the open
circuit in the passageway, the pest upon simultaneously coming into
contact with at least two conductors of opposite polarity will be
electrocuted. Disposed in circuit breaking relationship to the
voltage source is a safety shut off that will disconnect the two
open circuits from the voltage source when the lid to the enclosure
is opened.
The electrocution of the pest has the further advantage of
mummifying the pest to the extent that little or no odor will be
given off from a decaying pest, despite the fact that the pest may
have remained in the enclosure for several days. This result is
believed to flow from the process of electrocution and the charring
of the rodent or roach, in which a modest degree of preservation
occurs which reduces the odor of the decomposing pest.
One of the advantages of this trap device over the prior art, is
the provision of several safety features. As described above, the
passageway means are in the form of a curved elbow or S-shaped
configuration. Such a configuration inhibits the fingers of small
children, wires, forks, and other household items from being
inserted to the point of penetrating the interior of the enclosure,
therefore reducing exposure in normal usage to electrocution or
shock to the unwary used. Additionally, as previously discussed,
the trap device is equipped with a safety shutoff in the form of a
plug and socket arrangement disposed in circuit breaking
relationship between the open circuits and the voltage source. Upon
opening the lid from its normally shut position the plug disengages
from the socket, breaking the electrical connection to the voltage
source. This allows for cleaning the electrocuted pests from the
enclosure without incurring the risk of receiving the same fate as
the pest.
A further advantage of this trap device over the prior art is its
ability to successfully eliminate both insects, such as roaches,
and rodents, such as rats or mice. This is accomplished by using a
labyrinth arrangement or array of wire conductors arranged in close
parallel relationship to each other at about one-sixteenth inch
spacing. Such spacing is substantially close enough to allow for
even relatively small insects to form a short circuit between two
conductors of opposite polarity.
In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of the present
invention to provide a trap containing a bait therein to attract
rodents, insects, and like pests in which the pests will be
electrocuted.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a trap that
reduces the odor of decomposing pests.
A further object of the invention is to provide a trap in which the
previously electrocuted pest can be easily and safely removed
therefrom.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for
the entry of and the electrocution of pests while remaining safe
for all other forms of animal life other than the pests.
A further object of the present invention is to insure that once
the animal has entered the trap that electrocution is inevitable,
regardless of whether the animal attempts to escape by retreat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trap illustrative of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the trap in FIG.
1 taken along section line 2--2 in FIG. 1 in somewhat enlarged
scale.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional top view with two of the
elbow passageways partially broken away.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the trap,
illustrating the tripper and interior opening of the elbow
passageway, taken along section line 4--4 in FIG. 3 with an
enlarged scale.
FIG. 5 is a schematic of the electrical circuits of the present
invention.
METHOD
The present invention is directed to a method of eliminating
rodents, insects and like pests having the step of placing a bait
28 within an enclosure or box 1 to attract the pest into entering
the enclosure. A further step includes allowing the pest to enter
by means of a plurality of elbow-shaped passageways 21. A further
step includes activating a second open circuit 26 in the
passageways after the pest has proceeded therethrough to prevent
the pest from retreating. This step is further defined to include
the steps of placing a tripper 11 in the path of a pest existing
from the passageway and activating a second open circuit positioned
in the passageway by allowing the animal to engage the tripper. The
next step includes electrocuting the pest by placing a first open
circuit 27 in the path the pest must take in order to reach the
bait.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A trap apparatus, generally indicated as 1 in FIG. 1, comprises an
enclosure which, although capable of taking numerous
configurations, is shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 as
being a box 1. Mounted in each of the walls 2 of the box 1 is a
plurality of non linear preferably elbow-shaped, passageway means
21 defining a tubular passage 19 wherein a pest can enter. The
passageway means has an exterior opening 13 and an interior opening
14 dimensioned and configured to allow a pest to enter but,
preferrably at least in the case of a small rodent type pest, to
prevent their turning about in the passage once the pest has
entered. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the passageway means is curved
so as to visibly distort the retreat path of the entered pest and
thus, decreasing the chances of a successful retreat. Although only
one passageway means is necessary, a plurality of passageway means
are provided in the preferred embodiment to provide greater
opportunities for the pest to enter.
As shown in FIG. 3, superimposed over the interior floor or bottom
4 of the box 1 of the preferred embodiment are two adjacent
spaced-apart conductors of opposite polarity, first conductor 6 and
second conductor 7, arranged in a rectangular labyrinth in a common
plane disposed parallel to the floor. Therefore, a cross-section of
this plane would show alternating conductors of different polarity
in close parallel relationship relative to each other. Ideally, the
adjacent conductors should be secured to the floor at distances of
1/16 inch from the next adjacent conductor, so that the pest will,
upon proceeding out on the labyrinth of conductors, be likely to
simultaneously engage conductors of opposite polarity as can be
more clearly seen in FIG. 5, first conductor 6 and second conductor
7, respectively, begin at terminals 22 and 23 and end,
respectively, at terminals 24 and 25. Impressed across terminals 22
and 23 is a electromotive force of sufficient voltage, such as a
common 120 or 220 house voltage, to kill a pest. The other ends of
the two conductors form an open circuit relative to each other. If
the pest makes contact with at least two conductors of opposite
polarities, the pest will short circuit the previously open
circuit, resulting in a very rapid electrocution of the pest.
Sample test cases utilizing this apparatus have lead to the
discovery that normally a small rodent will only conduct
electricity for a period of time not much greater than 30 seconds
whereupon the resistivity of the rodent will increase to the point
where once again there is an open circuit between first conductor 6
and second conductor 7.
As shown in FIG. 3, positioned partially within the tubular passage
19 of the elbow passageway means 21 is a third and fourth conductor
8 and 9 respectively which are of opposite polarity. The third
conductor 8 is electrically interconnected to terminal 22 by way of
the first conductor 6 and terminates at the other end of terminal
29. The fourth conductor is electrically connected to a tripper 11
and extends to and terminates at terminal 30. This second set of
conductors, conductors 8 and 9, are disposed in spaced apart, close
proximity relationship relative to each other at the inner
extremity of the passageway means 21. The second set of conductors
are formed into loops with the lower portion 38 of the loop being
mounted on the interior of the passageway means and the upper
portion 37 of the loop being arranged on the outside of the
passageway means. Thus, the pest in proceeding down the passage
will come into contact with the lower portion 38 and if the pest
attempts to gain refuge by situating itself on top of the
passageway means, then it will encounter the upper portion 37 of
the loops. Further up the passageway means, the loop arrangement
can be terminated, leaving the two conductors to be wrapped in a
helical manner around the exterior of the passageway means, as
shown in FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 4, tripper 11 is in the form of a paddle or lever
which is pivotally secured by a coil spring to the rim of the
interior portion of the elbow passageway means 21. Positioned
directly below the tripper is the second conductor 7. In its normal
position, the tripper is in spaced apart disposition relative to
the second conductor. When the weight of the pest is exerted in a
downward force upon the tripper, the tripper will rotate in a
downward direction about its secured axis and electrically engage
the second conductor 7. In so doing, the fourth conductor is now
electrically connected to terminal 23, results in there being an
open circuit between terminals 29 and 30. Once the tripper device
is electrically interconnected to terminal 23 it is kept in its
triggered position by a fastening means, such as a magnet 18. One
possible design of this fastening arrangement is shown in the
preferred embodiment in FIG. 1 in which the magnet is disposed in a
position slightly lower than the second conductor 7 so the tripper
11 will not be prevented from coming into contact with the second
conductor 7. However, the magnet 18 is placed sufficiently close to
the trigger 11 when it is in its tripped position that a magnetic
field will have the strength to maintain it in its tripped
position. The specific construction of the fastener for the tripped
to perform the above-described function may be of any conventional
design and per se forms no part of the present invention.
As with the first set of conductors 6 and 7, the second set of
conductors 8 and 9 are placed in spaced-apart close proximity
relative to each other with a potential difference impressed
therebetween equal to the impressed EMF. As the pest proceeds
through the elbow passage means 21 and activates the second set of
conductors by placing his weight on the tripper, the pest may then
try to retreat back up the tubular passage 19. With the magnet 18
retaining the tripper 11 to keep the two conductors in the
passageway activated, the pest in attempting to retreat will
encounter the open circuit created between the third and fourth
conductors 8 and 9. Therefore, upon contact with any two wires of
opposite polarity, the pest will be killed in his attempt to
retreat. On the other hand if the pest proceeds forward out of the
passageway means 21 and onto the floor of the box 1, then he will
be likewise electrocuted there.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, positioned substantially in the center of
the labyrinth of conductors arranged on the floor is a bait 28 of a
type found desirable and attractible to the pest which plagued the
user of the apparatus. By positioning the bait in substantially the
center of this array of oppositely charged conductors the pest must
cross thereover in order to reach the bait. This will result in his
electrocution due to the close proximity of the wires which will
assure contact with wires of opposite polarity. To facilitate this
attraction of the pest to the bait, a plurality of vents 16 are
intregally formed within the walls 2 of the box 1. These vents
allow the odor of the bait to permeate outward from the box to the
area surrounding the box so as to enhance the chances of the pest
being attracted thereto.
Although the enclosure of the preferred embodiment is shown as a
box-like enclosure, any shape of the enclosure which serves the
purpose of preventing the escape of the pest will properly fall
within the scope of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1
and FIG. 2 in the preferred embodiment the box 1 is provided with a
top or lid 3 which has an open and close position with one side
hingedly secured to the upper rim of one of the walls 2 with the
opposite side of the lid 3 having an attachment means, such as a
latch 20, mounted thereon. When the trap is set and awaiting the
arrival of the pest the lid will be in locked relation to the box
1. Upon the successful electrocution of one or more pests the lid
can be unattached and the remains of the electrified pests removed
therefrom.
The previously described passageway means 21, which is formed in a
curved elbow or S-shaped configuration, has the safety feature of
preventing fingers and other household objects from being inserted
therein. Therefore, the possibility of shock to an entity other
than the pest is greatly reduced. As illustrated in FIG. 2, another
safety feature of the trap is in the form of a safety shutoff
connection 36 having a plug 31 and a socket 32. Upon opening the
lid 3 from its normally shut position, the plug 31 disengages from
the socket 32, breaking the electrical connection with a voltage
source 33. The voltage source 33 would be electrically connected by
first terminal 34 to terminal 22 and by the second terminal 35 to
terminal 23 so as to provide an impressed EMF to first and second
open circuits 26 and 27 when the lid 3 of the box 1 is closed.
The trap can be suitably placed either on the floor, or in spaced
off relationship to the floor, and can quite conveniently serve a
secondary purpose of being a supporting structure for a garbage
can, a fish aquarium, a night light, or a host of other appliances
placed on top thereof.
In that the interior of the box 1 contains a plurality of active
conducting elements, the basic structure of the box must at least
in part be made of nonconductive materials. In the preferred
embodiment, the box like enclosure 1 should preferably have a base
or bottom 4 made of asbestos or some other dielectic material. In
general, the entire box will be made of such materials with the
conductive elements secured thereto.
In operation, a bait is placed in the box 1 in a manner requiring
the pest to come into contact with at least two wires of opposite
polarity. The pest will sense or smell the bait within the trap and
will enter the trap through the only means available, the elbow
passageway means 21. Since the elbow is configured and dimensioned
to such a size that it will be difficult for the pest to turn
around it will be forced to proceed through the passage 19 into the
interior of the box. Upon exiting from the elbow, the pest will
trigger the tripper 11 so that the oppositely charged conductors 8
and 9 positioned within the elbow will be activated. At this
positioning the pest, although it is possible for the pest to turn
around and proceed back up the elbow, the pest will now find an
activated open circuit in the elbow that will electrify it.
Alternatively, the pest may proceed out onto the floor and arrive
at the same fate, electrocution. In addition, any retreat is
hampered by the pest not visually being able to see from the
interior to the exterior of the passageway due to the elbow
configuration thereof. Finally, the pest will conduct electricity
forming a short circuit for a period not much greater than 30
seconds. Thereafter an open circuit will again be formed which in
essence re-sets the trap for the next pest. Since a plurality of
elbows exist in the present invention, those that have not had a
pest enter will still have their trippers 11 in their normal
position so as to activate the open circuits within the elbows upon
the entry of a pest. Thus, the device can accomodate numerous pests
without the need of resetting the trap. The trap can be cleaned of
the executed pest by opening the lid 3 and dumping the electrocuted
remains therefrom.
It is therefore appreciated that all of the above objects and
advantages, as well as additional objects and advantages have been
accomplished and provided by means of the trap depicted herein, and
the various embodiments.
While there has been described what is at present to be considered
to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be
understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is
intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as
fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *